2021 BMW 3-Series vs 2021 Mercedes-Benz C Class

2021 BMW 3-Series

#1 in Luxury Small Sedans

2021 Mercedes-Benz C Class

#3 in Coupes

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330e Plug-In Hybrid

Style	MPG City	MPG Hwy	Invoice	MSRP
3 Series 330e Plug-In Hybrid	N/A	N/A	$41,930	$44,550
3 Series 330e Plug-In Hybrid North America	N/A	N/A	$41,930	$44,550
3 Series 330e xDrive Plug-In Hybrid	N/A	N/A	$43,790	$46,550
3 Series 330e xDrive Plug-In Hybrid North America	N/A	N/A	$43,790	$46,550
3 Series 330i Sedan	26	36	$38,865	$41,250
3 Series 330i Sedan North America	26	36	$38,865	$41,250
3 Series 330i xDrive Sedan	25	34	$40,725	$43,250
3 Series 330i xDrive Sedan North America	25	34	$40,725	$43,250
3 Series M340i Sedan	23	32	$51,370	$54,700
3 Series M340i Sedan North America	23	32	$51,370	$54,700
3 Series M340i xDrive Sedan	22	31	$53,230	$56,700
3 Series M340i xDrive Sedan North America	22	31	$53,230	$56,700
M3 Competition Sedan	16	23	$68,205	$72,800
M3 Sedan	16	23	$65,505	$69,900

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AMG C 43 4MATIC Convertible

Style	MPG City	MPG Hwy	Invoice	MSRP
C-Class AMG C 43 4MATIC Convertible	19	27	$61,570	$65,500
C-Class AMG C 43 4MATIC Coupe	19	27	$55,460	$59,000
C-Class AMG C 43 4MATIC Sedan	18	27	$53,110	$56,500
C-Class AMG C 63 Convertible	17	25	$73,320	$78,000
C-Class AMG C 63 Coupe	17	26	$66,411	$70,650
C-Class AMG C 63 S Convertible	17	25	$80,464	$85,600
C-Class AMG C 63 S Coupe	17	26	$73,555	$78,250
C-Class AMG C 63 S Sedan	17	26	$71,628	$76,200
C-Class AMG C 63 Sedan	17	26	$64,484	$68,600
C-Class C 300 4MATIC Convertible	22	30	$53,298	$56,700
C-Class C 300 4MATIC Coupe	23	32	$46,248	$49,200
C-Class C 300 4MATIC Sedan	23	33	$40,984	$43,600
C-Class C 300 Convertible	23	31	$51,418	$54,700
C-Class C 300 Coupe	24	33	$44,368	$47,200
C-Class C 300 Sedan	23	35	$39,104	$41,600

Show Only Differences

Pricing

Invoice Price

$41,930

$61,570

Manufacturer Suggested Retail Price

$44,550

$65,500

Monthly Payment Estimate

$743 / month

$1092 / month

The Car Connection's Take

TCC Rating

7.7

Read Our Full Review

7.2

Read Our Full Review

TCC’s Bottom Line

The flexible 2021 BMW 3-Series lineup offers something for everyone, so long as they’re not smitten with SUVs.

Svelte, sporty, and somewhat understated, the 2021 Mercedes-Benz C-Class should be at the top of your compact luxury sedan shopping list.

TCC Likes

Spectacular engines
Thrill-ride M3
Ride/handling balance

Ferocious AMGs
Coupe, convertible, or sedan
And not an ugly one in the bunch

TCC Dislikes

No wagon version
No manual, except in M3
M3’s style an acquired taste, at best

So, so much money
Small back seat and trunk
We’d like a wagon

Fuel Economy

City

0 mpg

19 mpg

Highway

0 mpg

27 mpg

Vehicle

EPA Classification

Compact Cars

Subcompact Cars

Interior Dimensions

Second Head Room (in)

37.6

35.6

Second Shoulder Room (in)

54.6

47.8

Front Head Room (in)

38.7

38.8

Front Shoulder Room (in)

54.8

Passenger Capacity

Second Leg Room (in)

35.2

Front Leg Room (in)

Exterior Dimensions

Track Width, Front (in)

62.2

63.1

Length, Overall (in)

185.7

184.8

Height, Overall (in)

56.9

55.3

Track Width, Rear (in)

61.8

61.3

Wheelbase (in)

112.2

111.8

Width, Max w/o mirrors (in)

71.9

71.3

Min Ground Clearance (in)

3.6

Cargo Area Dimensions

Trunk Volume (ft³)

13.2

8.8

Brakes

Drum - Rear (Yes or )

Brake ABS System

4-Wheel

Disc - Rear (Yes or )

Yes

Brake Type

4-Wheel Disc

Disc - Front (Yes or )

Yes

Rear Brake Rotor Diam x Thickness (in)

12.6

Rear Drum Diam x Width (in)

Front Brake Rotor Diam x Thickness (in)

14.2

Fuel Tank

Fuel Tank Capacity, Approx (gal)

10.6

17.4

Steering

Turning Diameter - Curb to Curb (ft)

37.2

38.4

Steering Type

Rack-Pinion

Tires

Front Tire Size

P225/45HR18

Spare Tire Size

Front Tire Order Code

R02

Spare Tire Order Code

Rear Tire Size

P225/45HR18

P245/40HR18

Rear Tire Order Code

R02

Weight Information

Base Curb Weight (lbs)

4039

4231

Wheels

Spare Wheel Size (in)

Rear Wheel Material

Aluminum

Rear Wheel Size (in)

18 X 7.5

18 X 8.5

Front Wheel Material

Aluminum

Spare Wheel Material

Front Wheel Size (in)

18 X 7.5

Engine

Fuel System

Gasoline Direct Injection

SAE Net Torque @ RPM

310

384 @ 2500

Engine Order Code

Displacement

2.0 L/122

3.0 L/183

SAE Net Horsepower @ RPM

288 @ 3800

385 @ 6100

Engine Type

Intercooled Turbo Gas/Electric I-4

Twin Turbo Premium Unleaded V-6

Mileage

EPA MPG Equivalent - Combined

Fuel Economy Est-Combined (MPG)

Battery Range (mi)

EPA Fuel Economy Est - City (MPG)

EPA Fuel Economy Est - Hwy (MPG)

Transmission

Fourth Gear Ratio (:1)

1.67

1.64

Trans Description Cont.

Automatic w/OD

Sixth Gear Ratio (:1)

1.00

First Gear Ratio (:1)

4.71

5.35

Drivetrain

Rear Wheel Drive

All Wheel

Final Drive Axle Ratio (:1)

3.23

3.07

Third Gear Ratio (:1)

2.11

2.25

Trans Type

Eighth Gear Ratio (:1)

0.67

0.72

Fifth Gear Ratio (:1)

1.28

1.21

Trans Description Cont. Again

Reverse Ratio (:1)

3.32

4.80

Second Gear Ratio (:1)

3.14

3.24

Trans Order Code

2TB

421

Seventh Gear Ratio (:1)

0.84

0.86

Summary

Vehicle Name

BMW 3 Series

Mercedes-Benz C-Class

Body Style

Sedan

4MATIC Cabriolet

Suspension

Suspension Type - Front (Cont.)

Strut

Suspension Type - Rear

Multi-Link

Suspension Type - Rear (Cont.)

Multi-Link

Suspension Type - Front

Strut

Electrical

Maximum Alternator Capacity (amps)

180

Emissions

Tons/yr of CO2 Emissions @ 15K mi/year

8.0

Crash Test Ratings

Overall Rating

Overall Frontal Barrier Crash Rating

Frontal Barrier Crash Rating Driver

Frontal Barrier Crash Rating Passenger

Overall Side Crash Rating

Side Barrier Rating

Side Barrier Rating Driver

Side Barrier Rating Passenger Rear Seat

Side Pole Rating Driver Front Seat

Combined Side Rating Front Seat

Combined Side Rating Rear Seat

Rollover Rating

2021 BMW 3-Series

2021 3-Series available; 2020s gone
Lease: From $419 for 36 months
Rebate: $2,000 APR credit
Financing: From 1.9% APR for 60 months

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2021 Mercedes-Benz C Class

2021 C-Class is available
Lease: From $449/mo.
Discounts: Up to $3,000 off (Sedan)
Finance: 1.99% APR for 36 mo.

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